183
-It might take some time, but I can also grow plants brought from outside the dungeon!
“What? Is that true?”
Unlike the previous suggestion that gave me room to hesitate, this was quite an attractive offer.
The reason was simple.
If the Dient was telling the truth!
It meant I could grow various plants, including the hard-to-find poison herb, Katra.
-Of course! If I give it my blessing, it can take root and live on fertile land.
“If you’re lying, you’re dead.”
-I don’t want to die, so why would I say something that would get me killed…….
At the Myth’s intimidating words, the Dient dripped sap like tears.
‘This changes things. If I can cultivate Katra or Madonas here, it really changes things.’
It seemed like an unexpected but very meaningful turning point had occurred.
I had encountered plant-type monsters in my past life, but there were no self-sufficient monsters like this.
They were merely ‘plant-type,’ but none had their own unique characteristics.
In other words, this was the first time I had met a Dient-like creature.
One that had its own dungeon – albeit a dummy dungeon – and could cultivate plants.
“Okay. I’ll accept the offer. But you’ll have to cough up all those dimension stones you have.”
-Hehe, that’s not difficult.
“Hehe, for a king…… you’ve become awfully lightweight.”
-I’m only a king in front of these plant things, but in front of you, *hyung-nim* [older brother or respected elder], I’m just a friendly tree, aren’t I?
When did I become *hyung-nim*?
As the Myth crossed his arms and put on a stern, solemn, and serious expression,
The Dient blushed and began to cut off the branches extending from its body one by one.
It was a scene of easy ‘severance,’ like a lizard cutting off its own tail.
And.
Every time the severed branches of the Dient shriveled up.
“Oh…….”
Ultra-high-grade dimension stones began to appear in front of the Myth.
It was a feast of ultra-high-grade dimension stones, each worth at least 10 billion won [approximately $7.5 million USD based on current exchange rates].
* * *
Two hours later.
“Good job. Leaving this much won’t be a problem for you to regrow, right?”
-That’s right! The rain always falls from the sky without fail.
“You’ve stocked up well.”
A satisfied expression naturally formed.
The number of ultra-high-grade dimension stones obtained from the Dient was a whopping 15.
It hadn’t died.
But it was essentially the same as acquiring loot left behind by the dead.
Thanks to that, I covered most of the dimension stones needed for production, and the remaining amount in my subspace was 23.
I took everything I needed.
I also dug up some of the remaining muscle-enhancing herbs and Archenes, and I took the plants needed for the magic-enhancing recipe.
Mixing them all together would taste terrible, but the effects would be certain if taken long-term.
“Then I’ll bring you other plants soon, so prepare a place to grow them when I bring them.”
-Yes! Is there any room for doubt?
He’s supposed to be the king of plants, but it feels like I’ve gained a well-behaved ‘yes-man.’
Thanks to Shami finding out through her friend Chloe, a truly meaningful turning point was created.
Of course, according to the Dient, vegetation from outside the dungeon takes time to adapt.
But if I can procure materials without going abroad or going through the troublesome licensing process?
It was the perfect condition for me, who usually hates troublesome things.
-Hyung-nim!
“Yeah?”
-Starting next week, there will be a period when moonlight, not sunlight, shines. Then a new one will be born.
“The vegetation is changing?”
-Yes, that’s right.
“*Heol* [Korean slang expressing disbelief or shock]…….”
If I had killed the Dient without thinking, I would have missed a new spectacle.
There’s no way he’d spout nonsense with me being able to kill him at any time, so it seems like the story will get interesting.
“Anyway, I’ll be back soon, so take good care of it and maintain it. Got it?”
-Yes! I will keep that in mind! Thank you for saving me, *hyung-nim*!
“Well, is there anything you want?”
-I would be grateful if you could get me some delicious water!
“Okay. I know some expensive water, I’ll bring that.”
-Hehe, thank you!
The high-end bottled water that starts with E, which is sold quite expensively even in convenience stores.
Thinking of that, I left the dummy dungeon with my subspace feeling full.
‘Now, what’s left is…….’
Officially, individuals could not own dummy dungeons.
Of course, it was possible if the KSA [Korean Special Ability Association] made an exception and gave special approval.
‘That’s what connections are for.’
Without hesitation, I immediately called Lee Ha-sung.
Breaking the law is a no-go, but appropriate loopholes and detours are another wisdom for living life.
* * *
Some time later.
“I don’t mind having my rest disturbed if it’s such a pleasant stimulus.”
Coming out of the sewer, I felt the state of my muscles that had been modified and gave a satisfied expression.
Now my whole body was muscular.
Of course, it hadn’t changed into a form that could be called a muscle pig or a monster.
However, the advantage was that my coordination ability was maximized as I could control all the muscles in my body as I pleased.
“Let’s see…….”
*Whoong! Whoong!*
*Hwaaaak! Paaaak!*
I continued to perform virtual attack motions here and there, exerting force, and checked my condition again.
And after sufficiently confirming the basic martial arts and techniques using strength.
“In my current state, I can withstand up to an SS-rank Awakener without being pushed back.”
It was a conservative judgment.
In short, I was confident that I wouldn’t die even if I fought an SS-rank, and I thought there was a possibility of winning depending on the situation.
If I didn’t let my guard down and engaged in battle with sufficient doping, I thought I could handle a long-term battle with an SS+ rank.
For example, an Awakener like Joo Cheon-ho. He fit the SS rank that I was thinking of.
“If possible, I hope to grow to the point where I can compete with SSS and EX ranks as soon as possible. This is frustrating.”
I licked my lips.
It was commonplace for others to raise their thumbs, saying that it was super-fast, no, overwhelming growth.
I still thought I had a long way to go. I must be very greedy. That’s for sure.
I was as greedy for money and rank as I was for retirement, so I wanted to climb to higher places quickly.
That way, even if I retire later, no one will be able to touch me carelessly.
“Good. Very good.”
The muscle modification felt like it had put a definite end to the body control that had been 2% lacking.
Also, muscle modification increased the body’s overall resistance, so it was a good match with the liquefaction talent.
Perhaps when I go into actual combat, I will be able to withstand 20% to 30% more impact than before.
Anyway.
There are more than one or two parts to be modified in the 2nd and 3rd rounds, but this means that the 1st modification is almost complete.
Things like fingernail and toenail modification.
There are also modifications to the bladder, small intestine, and large intestine, but I wasn’t in a hurry because I didn’t have any complaints about digestion or physiological activities.
Now that a solid foundation has been laid with muscle modification, the synergy with strength training will be good.
I should add a few more good exercise programs that I can do at home.
Exercising at home is a comfortable exercise that you can stop at any time if you get tired of it!
*Puk puk puk. Pak pak pak.*
As soon as I returned home, I started making special Churu [creamy cat treat] for Shami and Chloe as promised.
I, who had never raised a cat before, was now making handmade snacks.
It was funny, but at the same time, I felt good because I seemed to have become very attached to Shami.
I had plenty of ingredients, so I was making Churu in large quantities. I was planning to get the most out of it while I was making it!
I added thinly sliced dried bonito flakes to the basic ingredients of chicken tenderloin, unsalted anchovies, and glutinous rice flour.
At first glance, it doesn’t seem like many ingredients were added, but after eating it, it was a drug that no cat could resist.
“This is today’s reward. As promised, I’ll pack it well so you can eat a handful every day.”
-Shin-hwa, thank you so much!
“I hope it’s delicious.”
*Nyamyam. Geureunggeureung. Nyamyam.*
Chloe, who had her nose buried in the container filled with Churu, began to eat the Churu diligently.
Whether she was eating or drinking.
To the point where it was confusing to the person watching.
“I need to get some sleep. Shami, if you want to eat more, take out what I made. You know? If you press this button, the bowl will come down on its own.”
-Okay! Leave it to me! Good night, Shin-hwa!
“Chloe can sleep in your room, so tell her to sleep over.”
-Really?
“Of course it’s real, what else would it be? I’m just going to wash up and go to bed.”
-Okay!
*Euaeoooooong!*
Leaving behind the pleasant greetings of Shami and Chloe, I headed to the shower room.
I was planning to wash away the sweat and the foul smell of the sewer that seemed to have permeated my body, and then take a nap.
Tomorrow…….
I’m just going to sleep all day.
* * *
I slept for exactly twenty-four hours.
Perhaps because the muscle modification had suddenly accumulated fatigue in my body, I slept really soundly.
Even though I had the A-rank artifact ‘Lakis Bracelet,’ which promotes the recovery of fatigue accumulated in the body or physical overload, I slept for a long time.
It seemed that the burden of modification on the body was not small.
Maybe after eating one more flower of transcendence later and finishing brain modification, I might just sleep for days.
This is because I have to use a ‘supercomputer’ that has been reborn in a completely different form from the brain I have been using so far.
I went to bed at night, and when I woke up, it was the same night, only a day later.
Just in case, I went to Shami’s room and saw that Shami was fast asleep in her own bed.
Since Chloe was not visible, it seemed that she had returned to the park where she was comfortable.
“Turning off the smartphone is the best after all.”
Thanks to turning it off, there was no way to know even if there were any calls, so I slept really well.
If there are any matters to be discussed, Yoon-byeol is supposed to consult with me in advance, so there is nothing I need to handle.
“Hoo, haa, hoo, haa.”
I did some light push-ups to test my body condition, which had been strengthened by muscle modification.
In the past, I used to do push-ups with one hand behind my back and the other hand using three fingers.
Now I could hold out with just my thumb and middle finger. There was no part that felt strained at all.
“I’ll know when I use it in actual combat later.”
In the end, combat was essential to test the efficiency of the modification. Whether the opponent was a monster or an Awakener.
The March calendar, with only a few days left.
April was just around the corner.
“……I’m going to be really busy.”
Suddenly, I felt overwhelmed.
In April, there are two major incidents that I have decided to intervene in on behalf of Nicholas.
The first is the parasite potion incident, a heinous act committed by China’s three major corrupt guilds.
The second is a large-scale civil war between the European Awakener Association and the American Awakener Association.
Since there are still a few days left in March, I was planning to enjoy even a short vacation to the fullest.
So, I turned on my smartphone in case an email with attached photos had arrived from Cribia Island to report on the progress of the construction.
I was planning to quickly check only the site photos sent by the person in charge and immediately turn off the smartphone.
But right then.
“……Are you timing this on purpose?”
As if waiting for me to turn on the power, a call came in right on time.
Caller: Lee Ha-sung.
It was a call from a man whose name alone made me feel suffocated.
“……Hello?”
-Shin-hwa, do you happen to have some time right now?
A man who calls late at night and suddenly asks if I have time.
Damn it.
I have a bad feeling about this.